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Thirty-nine Republican and Democratic mayors in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties have endorsed Gov. Chris Christie's proposal for a constitutional amendment to cap property tax and government spending increases at 2.5 percent, the governor's office announced Tuesday.
They also support his 33-bill proposal that offers additional proposals for controlling spending and government workers' pay and benefits.
"The Christie Reform Agenda is the change we need to put a firm cap on property taxes and empower the people with the tools to control their own future," Linden Mayor Richard Gerbounka said. "Our hands have been tied, hindering our ability to control skyrocketing costs and resulting in rising property taxes. Mayors across the state should stand up and support Governor Christie's Cap 2.5 Reform Agenda in order to provide real property tax relief right now."
Property taxes have grown 70 percent over the last ten years, resulting in an average annual property tax bill of $7,281 on New Jersey families – the highest rate in the nation. Christie argues the "Cap 2.5'' would halt the astonishing growth in property taxes while the Christie Reform Agenda would give towns and school boards the tools needed to control spending to make a 2.5 percent cap achievable.The mayors are:
- Bergen County: Vince Barra, Allendale; Benedict Romeo, Cresskill; Dick Mola, Elmwood Park; Mark Sokolich, Fort Lee; Maura DeNicola, Franklin Lakes; John van Keuren, Glen Rock; Thomas Randall, Ho-Ho-Kus; Richard Martel, Mahwah; Joseph Monahan, Midland Park; James Barsa, Norwood; Victor Polce, Old Tappan; Chris Botta, Ramsey; David Pfund, Ridgewood; Margaret Watkins, River Edge; Frank Valenzuela, Rochelle Park; Nicholas Langella, Rockleigh; John Hipp, Rutherford; Samuel Raia, Saddle River; Kenneth Gabbert, Upper Saddle River; Russell Litchult, Waldwick; Joseph LaPaglia, Woodcliff Lake, and Rudy Boonstra, Wyckoff.
- Essex County: James Gasparini, Fairfield, Thomas McDermott, Millburn; Mel Levine, North Caldwell; Douglas Newman, South Orange, and Joseph Tempesta, West Caldwell.
- Hudson County: Raymond McDonough, Harrison and Dawn Zimmer, Hoboken.
- Passaic County: Michael DeFrancisci, Little Falls; Katie Cole, Pompton Lakes, and Theodore Taukus, Ringwood.
- Union County: Robert Woodruff, Berkeley Heights; Mark Smith, Cranford; Joseph Menza, Hillside; Kathi Fiamingo, Kenilworth; Richard Gerbounka, Linden; John Thoms, New Providence, and Ziad Andrew Shehady, Springfield.
– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
